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Manager Stephen Robinson was happy with the runout his players got in their 0-0 draw at Dunfermline Athletic.

The Motherwell manager used 21 players in the final pre-season game at East End Park, with the first competitive game of the 2018/19 season five days away.

The Northern Irishman said: “For us, in this moment, it’s about getting minutes in the legs. But we showed a lot of positive play and put a lot of crosses into the box.”

Motherwell ended their pre-season programme with a stalemate away to Ladbrokes Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.

Stephen Robinson’s side gained another important 90 minutes, with 21 players getting playing time to further build their fitness levels ahead of the season opener against Edinburgh City in five days time.

Motherwell controlled the first half, testing Lee Robinson in the Dunfermline goal on occasion.

Andy Rose was first up to try his luck. In the first minute, his low drilled shot from 30 yards was well tipped away.

Curtis Main then followed suit soon after. Getting the break of the ball in the box, his effort was turned away by Robinson’s feet.

Plenty crossed were put into the box throughout the first half, but goal scoring opportunities were limited. Mark Gillespie in the away goal, for his part in the first 45 minutes, was untroubled.

The Steelmen kept up their pressure as the second half started. Carl McHugh had a chance from close range from an Elliott Frear corner, but his header dropped wide.

The Pars immediately responded with their first shot of the game. Alex Rodríguez was caught in possession in midfield and allowed the hosts to break, with Joe Thomson’s effort being deflected behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Motherwell continued to probe. Main was next up with a low drive which had Robinson scampering as it flew past the post, while the big forward turned creator when his near-post cross came within inches of finding the boot of Danny Johnson.

Johnson, who scored with an acrobatic volley away at Darlington on Sunday, would then try his luck again with a similar effort with 20 minutes remaining.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair was again the provider, as he had been in England, but the striker couldn’t get the ball out of the air and his shot went over.

Having been largely quiet, Gillespie was needed shortly after. Dunfermline’s trialist forward found himself with room 15 yards out for a free shot, but the big goalkeeper spread himself brilliantly to block.

Motherwell: Gillespie; Tait (Grimshaw 75), Donnelly (Maguire 45), McHugh (Bigirimana 75), Dunne (Kipré 64), Frear (Taylor-Sinclair 64); Campbell (Hartley 64), Cadden (Rodríguez 45), Rose (Turnbull 64); Bowman (Johnson 45), Main (Scott 81).

Subs not used: Carson.

Motherwell conclude their pre-season preparations with a trip to East End Park to take on Dunfermline on Thursday.

The Steelmen, who have picked up friendly victories over Crusaders and Darlington, will be looking to end their pre-season run on a high, five days before the Betfred Cup group stages get underway.

Edinburgh City await Stephen Robinson’s side on Tuesday night, and for Championship side Dunfermline, they host Peterhead in their opening fixture of the tournament ‘Well finished runners-up in last November.

Thursday night’s clash is the first time the Steelmen have faced the Pars since 2012, when goals from Michael Higdon and Henrik Ojamaa sealed a 2-0 win for ‘Well.

The hosts, who have bolstered their squad with nine summer signings, are set for their third consecutive campaign in the Championship after being promoted from League One in season 2015/16.

Tickets cost just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, with the game kicking off at 7.30pm.

Peter Hartley will be the new captain of Motherwell Football Club, following Carl McHugh’s decision to step down from the role.

The 30-year-old defender, an influential figure at the club, will take up the armband with immediate effect.

Hartley will be supported by other senior players, including McHugh.

“Peter was an obvious choice for me,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the decision.

“It’s in his character, he’s a natural born leader, he’s loud and has total respect from the boys. Carl had that in a different way as he was quieter in how he conducted himself.

“Peter has that respect and I think he’ll be fantastic for the football club.

“What we’ve got this year though is a group of older boys, if we have older boys, who I can speak to and ask their opinion. I can get a feel of what is needed and what’s not in the dressing room.

“In terms of who will be leading the football club on the pitch, it will be Peter Hartley, backed up by a group of boys, including Carl, who can all step up to be captain.”

McHugh has also backed the decision. “We’re a close knit squad and Pete has always been supportive of me as captain and I’ll do the same for him,” he said.

“I know that Pete will go on to be a terrific captain of this football club.”

Stephen Robinson has expressed his utmost respect for Carl McHugh, after the midfielder decided to pass on the captain’s armband.

The Irishman, who is preparing for his third season at Fir Park, spent the 2017/18 campaign as skipper and was the first in his position to lead out the club at two cup finals.

Carl’s move to step away from the role has been supported fully by his manager, who believes the 25-year-old will continue to represent the club in the same manner he always has.

“Carl and I have spoke at length about it. I spoke to him at the tail end of last season when he came to me about this.

“He’s a very conscientious football player and he wants to do the very best for the football club.”

Robinson added: “There was a lot of extra responsibility put on Carl last season, particularly with the cup finals, and he just feels he could give more to the team without the armband.

“For me, it’s a very selfless act and it’s clear he’s thought all of this through. He felt that someone else taking the armband would allow him to concentrate on his game and improve another 5%.

“I have total admiration for him, he’s a great boy and he’ll always give me 110% when he steps out on the pitch.”

Carl McHugh has decided to relinquish his role as captain of Motherwell Football Club.

The influential Irishman has made the decision after a summer of personal reflection, after which he believed it would be both in his own interest and that of the team to pass on the armband.

Peter Hartley will be the new captain of the club, a decision taken after consultation with McHugh and other senior players.

“It’s definitely not a decision I’ve taken lightly,” he explained. “It’s been a tough decision to come to but I think it’s the right one going forward.

“But I just feel at times I wasn’t happy with the level of consistency I showed over the season.

“The captaincy was affecting me in different ways. But most importantly on the pitch, I felt my level of performance [had dropped].

“I’m quite hard on myself, to be honest, and when I analysed my season after the last few games I felt this was something that could help me moving forward, and help the team.

“I could have just carried on and stayed in the role for another season. That would have been the easy thing to do. But I think the right thing to do is what I am doing now.

“It is the right thing for me personally, which in turn will help the team and the club move forward. I believe this will help me overall, it’ll help my performances and it will help the team.

“We’re a close knit squad and Pete has always been supportive of me as captain and I’ll do the same for him. I know that Pete will go on to be a terrific captain of this football club.”

Manager Stephen Robinson and McHugh spoke about the matter for several weeks, after the player made the first approach to say he wished to pass on the armband.

“I don’t think there’s many managers you could probably speak to about something like this and for him to be as understanding as he was,” he said of the manager.

“He’s been great about it and he’s just wanted to help me and do the right thing for me and the club moving forward.”

McHugh was the first captain since the 1950s to lead the team into two cup finals and says he’s happy with the role he played, but now wants to focus on playing.

“I’ve captained the club in two finals and that’s something I can look back on and be proud of,” he said.

“I feel now getting it sorted and getting it out in the open, I can focus on the cup games and look forward to getting back to football and enjoying my football.”

Supporters attending Motherwell’s final pre-season fixture at Dunfermline Athletic will be able to pay at the gate.

Adult prices are £10 and concessions can gain entry for £5.

The match at East End Park on Thursday, 12 July will kick off at 7.30pm.

Watch the best of the action as Cédric Kipré, Danny Johnson, Allan Campbell, Ryan Bowman and James Scott net in the 5-1 win at Darlington.

Ryan Bowman, Trevor Carson and Liam Grimshaw give their thoughts after the 5-1 pre-season win over Darlington.

Assistant manager Keith Lasley reflects on ‘Well’s 5-1 win over Darlington as pre-season preparations continue.